Free Gardening Classes

Gardening in the Pacific Northwest: A workshop series for beginning gardeners.

Every Tuesday, September 30 – October 28 6:30 to 8:00pm (in NE Portland)

Every Wednesday, October 1 – October 29 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. (in Hillsboro)

Are you thinking of starting a vegetable garden next year? Did you have a garden this year and want to find out how to produce more next year? Oregon Food Bank’s Gardening in the Pacific Northwest is a free series of workshops designed to give gardeners all the information they need to start a successful garden. Participants are encouraged to attend the whole series, but each workshop is designed to stand alone for those who cannot come all of the workshops. To sign up for any or all of the workshops, contact Starr Farris at 503.282.0555 x268  or [email protected] with your name, phone number, and location preference. To ensure that our programs reach those who would not otherwise be able to pay for gardening classes, registration priority is given to those who meet the income guidelines below. If you do not meet the income guidelines but would like to attend the classes, you will be added to the waitlist. After September 19th, if there is space in the workshops, those on the waitlist will be notified.  

September 30 (NE Portland) / October 1 (Hillsboro) – Creating healthy garden soil. Healthy soil is the foundation for a productive vegetable garden. Learn how to maintain soil fertility throughout the years. Topics will include crop rotation, composting, cover crops and organic fertilizers. October 7 (NE Portland) / October 8 (Hillsboro) – Planting. Different plants require different planting techniques. Learn how and when to plant different vegetables, fruits and herbs. This workshop will cover direct seeding, transplanting, growing your own transplants and other common propagation methods. October 14 (NE Portland) / October 15 (Hillsboro) – Organic Pest Management. Learn natural, organic ways to control pests in your garden. This workshop will cover beneficial insects, keeping plants healthy and recipes for simple pest control concoctions. October 21 (NE Portland) / October 22 (Hillsboro) – Garden Maintenance. Learn to take care of your garden to maximize your harvest. Thinning, weeding and watering strategies will be covered as well as tips for caring for specific plants. October 28 (NE Portland) / October 29 (Hillsboro) – Garden Planning. Careful planning is the key to growing a healthy, abundant garden all season long. Learn how to create a garden plan that will guide you step by step as you plant and harvest throughout the spring, summer and fall. 

Income Guidelines

Size of Household--Maximum Monthly Income

1--$1733

2--$2333

3--$2933

4--$3533

5--$4133

Starr

Starr Farris

Learning Gardens Program Coordinator

Oregon Food Bank

503.282.0555 x268

[email protected]

www.oregonfoodbank.org

More grows in the garden than was sown there.